Locking pliers

Abstract

A locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a moveable jaw, a fixed handle, a toggle link, a power link and a jaw link. The fixed jaw is retained in one end of the fixed handle and the moveable jaw is pivotally retained in the one end thereof. An adjustment screw is retained in an opposing end of the fixed handle and engages a first end of the toggle link. A first end of the jaw link is pivotally engaged with a second end of the toggle link. A second end of the jaw link is pivotally engaged with the moveable jaw. One end of a moveable handle is pivotally engaged with a middle of the jaw link. One end of the power link is pivotally engaged with the moveable handle and an opposing end is pivotally engaged with the second end of the toggle link.

I claim: 
     
       1. A locking pliers comprising:
 a fixed handle having an adjusting device disposed on one end; 
 a fixed jaw is rigidly retained in an opposing end of the fixed handle; 
 a moveable jaw is pivotally retained in substantially the opposing end of the fixed handle; 
 a toggle link having a first toggle end and a second toggle end, said first toggle end is in contact with an end of said adjusting device; 
 at least one jaw link having a first jaw end and a second jaw end, said first jaw end is pivotally retained with said second toggle end, said second jaw end is pivotally engaged with said moveable jaw; 
 a moveable handle having one end pivotally engaged with said at least one jaw link between said first jaw end and said second jaw end, a first pivot point of said second toggle end, a second pivot point of said moveable jaw at said second jaw end, and a third pivot point of said moveable handle on said at least one jaw link lie on the same axis; and 
 a power link having one end pivotally engaged with said moveable handle, an opposing end of said power link is pivotally engaged with said second end of said toggle link. 
 
     
     
       2. The locking pliers of  claim 1  wherein:
 said adjusting device is an adjustment screw. 
 
     
     
       3. The locking pliers of  claim 1  wherein:
 said moveable handle includes a U-shaped cross section. 
 
     
     
       4. A locking pliers comprising:
 a fixed handle having an adjusting device disposed on one end; 
 a fixed jaw is rigidly retained in an opposing end of the fixed handle; 
 a moveable jaw is pivotally retained in substantially the opposing end of the fixed handle; 
 a toggle link having a first toggle end, a second toggle end and a power projection, said first toggle end is in contact with an end of said adjusting device, said power projection extends from said second toggle end; 
 at least one jaw link having a first jaw end and a second jaw end, said first jaw end is pivotally retained with said second toggle end, said second jaw end is pivotally engaged with said moveable jaw; 
 a moveable handle having one end pivotally engaged with said at least one jaw link between said first jaw end and said second jaw end, a first pivot point of said second toggle end, a second pivot point of said moveable jaw at said second jaw end, and a third pivot point of said moveable handle on said at least one jaw link lie on the same axis; and 
 a power link having one end pivotally engaged with said moveable handle, an opposing end of said power link is pivotally engaged with said power projection. 
 
     
     
       5. The locking pliers of  claim 4  wherein:
 said adjusting device is an adjustment screw. 
 
     
     
       6. The locking pliers of  claim 4  wherein:
 said moveable handle includes a U-shaped cross section. 
 
     
     
       7. The locking pliers of  claim 4  wherein:
 said power projection extends substantially perpendicular from said second toggle end. 
 
     
     
       8. A locking pliers comprising:
 a fixed handle having an adjusting device disposed on one end; 
 a fixed jaw is rigidly retained in an opposing end of the fixed handle; 
 a moveable jaw is pivotally retained in substantially the opposing end of the fixed handle; 
 a toggle link having a base portion and a power projection, 
 said base portion includes a first toggle end and a second toggle end, said power projection extends outward from said base portion at said second toggle end, a width of said power projection is less than half a length of said base portion; 
 at least one jaw link having a first jaw end and a second jaw end, said first jaw end is pivotally retained in said second toggle end, said second jaw end is pivotally engaged with said moveable jaw; 
 a moveable handle having one end pivotally engaged with said at least one jaw link, a first pivot point of said second toggle end, a second pivot point of said moveable jaw at said second jaw end, and a third pivot point of said moveable handle on said at least one jaw link lie on the same axis; and 
 a power link having one end pivotally engaged with said moveable handle behind said at least one jaw link, an opposing end of said power link is pivotally engaged only with said power projection. 
 
     
     
       9. The locking pliers of  claim 8  wherein:
 said adjusting device is an adjustment screw. 
 
     
     
       10. The locking pliers of  claim 8  wherein:
 said moveable handle includes a U-shaped cross section. 
 
     
     
       11. The locking pliers of  claim 8  wherein:
 said power projection extends substantially perpendicular from said second toggle end. 
 
     
     
       12. The locking pliers of  claim 8  wherein:
 a power hole is formed through said power projection, but not through said base portion, said opposing end of said power link is pivotally engaged with said power hole.